Women's soccer freshman Charlie Gallardo and men's basketball sophomore Myles Watkins are the 2023-24 Pasadena City College Athletes of the Year for all sports.
Gallardo, a midfielder who helped the Lancers to the SoCal Regional quarterfinals, is the PCC Women's Athlete of the Year while Watkins, who was part of two straight playoff appearances, was selected Lancers Men's AOTY.
The selections made by PCC Athletics and the sports information office through the PCC Foundation are part of the annual, season-ending Elizabeth Jensen Scholarships as well as a few other awards designated for acceptance for Lancers student-athletes.
Jensen, who has a bronze bust in her likeness as part of the college's Dick Ratliff Court of Champions, spent nearly 40 years as a women's athletic director at Pasadena Junior College and later PCC. The awards are designed primarily for graduating sophomores at PCC.
Elizabeth Jensen bust in PCC Court of Champions
A 4.0 student in the classroom and in winning the only award open to first-year Lancers, Gallardo was an All-South Coast Conference First Team selection at midfielder as she was instrumental in one of the most successful seasons in PCC women's soccer history. She topped the team in overall scoring with 10 goals, six assists for 26 points.
Her dynamic play, strong leg on corner and free kicks, and an ability to carry the ball upfield with sharp passing and hard running made Gallardo (from Monrovia High) become one of the best players in the state.
She scored a goal with three minutes left in PCC's SoCal Regional quarterfinal (Round 2) in a rally that just fell short in a season-ending defeat at Santa Barbara City College, 3-2, on Nov. 21, 2023.
In Round 1, Gallardo delivered the key assist on teammate Hailey Hull's dramatic, game-winning goal in the second overtime that allowed the #13 Lancers to upset #4 Mt. San Antonio, 2-1. It was the first-ever win at Mt. SAC by a PCC team since the program was re-started as an intercollegiate sport at the Colorado Boulevard campus in 1997.
The team's 17 victories under head coach Terryn Soelberg is a school record for the program. Gallardo is the first women's soccer player to win the AOTY since Katy Coats in 2019-2020.
Charlie Gallardo
Watkins had a marvelous run in his two seasons as he was a signature player that helped head coach Ryan Frazer successfully turn the Lancers men's basketball program into a strong ranked team in Southern California after a 1-win season before their arrival three seasons ago. Watkins, from Centennial High in Frisco, Texas, helped the #12 seed PCC reach the SoCal Regional Finals as a freshman when he scored a game-high 18 points in the Round 3 contest, a hard-fought 63-58 loss to #4 seed San Bernardino Valley.
He helped PCC to a 22-9 overall record, rated #8 in team defense, and two playoff wins, including an upset victory over #5 San Diego Miramar in the SoCal quarterfinals.
As a sophomore, he led #15 seed PCC to a 19-11 mark as he scored a game-high 25 points in a 72-65, Round 1 playoff victory over Los Angeles Southwest. He totaled another game best of 21 points in the team's 87-69 loss at #2 San Diego City.
A 3.77 GPA student and an All-SCC North Division First Team selection, Watkins finished as PCC's #18 All-Time Leading Scorer with 901 points. Watkins is the first men's basketball player to earn AOTY since Taj Spencer in the 2013-14 school year.
Myles Watkins
The President's Award, presented to the student-athlete that combines successful playing performance with classroom excellence and sportsmanship, goes to women's volleyball sophomore Emma Yogan. Carrying a 3.94 GPA, Yogan (from Glacier Peak, Washington state) completed an illustrious 2-year Lancers career as the program's second, all-time leader in kills with 612 to go with 382 digs and 80 service aces. She played on two teams that advanced to the postseason under head coach Mike Terrill as PCC put together a 36-17 combined .679 winning record. Yogan earned a playing scholarship to attend Cal State East Bay (Hayward).
The High GPA Awards belong to women's badminton's Rhea Zou, a perfect 4.0 GPA in the classroom, and men's track and fielder thrower Jaden Pena, who also earned a 4.0 GPA.
Zou (Alhambra High) was part of a state runner-up and SCC individual doubles champion and was the #1 player on the Lancers 2024 SCC team champion as well as member of the Lancers state finalist squad under head coach Jen Ho. Zou was a member of two conference champion teams and two state finalists.
Pena (Rosemead High) placed second at the SCC Championships in the discus throw (career best 123-0 feet) and took 16th at the SoCal Prelims. Pena competed under track and field head coach Innocent Egbunike.
Emma Yogan, President's Award winner
JENSEN TRANSFER SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS:
Isaac Glover, football, 3.74 GPA: From Burbank High, he was the team-leading running back in his two seasons, totaling 1,133 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns (plus two more on receptions). He helped PCC win the SCFA American Pacific League championship and finish 9-2 as the American Bowl finalist this past season. He played under Director of Football Operations and head coach Robert Tucker.
Michael Prappas, football, 3.69 GPA: From San Marino High, he made 80 tackles and 4.5 sacks over two seasons as a linebacker.
Megan Schmidt, women's soccer, 3.26 GPA: From Burroughs High in Burbank, she was an All-SCC Second Team selection as a freshman forward who led the team in goals in both of her seasons at PCC. She scored 11 goals in 2022, the again in 2023 and her 51 total points in 43 games places her No. 12 on PCC's All-Time Scoring List.
Ashley Gilbert, women's volleyball, 3.78 GPA: From Central East HS in Fresno, she earned All-SCC First Team middle blocker in 2023. Gilbert posted 114 career blocks and 279 kills in her two seasons and is headed to play/attend Cal State Dominguez Hills.
Reese Roper, women's volleyball, 3.96 GPA: From Colusa High in Sacramento Valley, she was selected All-SCC Second Team selection at outside hitter. Roper made the transition from middle blocker as a freshman to OH in her sophomore season as she averaged 1.95 kills and 2.74 digs as one of the team's best defensive players. She earned a CCCWVCA State Player of the Week award at the start of the 2023 season. Roper has just committed to continuing her education/playing career at NAIA College of Idaho.
Gloria Gray, women's water polo, 3.12 GPA: From South Pasadena High, she was a 2-time, All-SCC First Team goalie, who totaled 185 saves as her team's best player in each of her two Lancers seasons. Gray played for PCC Aquatics head coach Terry Stoddard.
Isaac Glover
Vanessa Epperson, women's basketball, 4.0 GPA: From Bishop Alemany High, she was a transfer from Golden West College and had a tremendous sophomore campaign for the 2023-24 Lancers on the floor and in the classroom. Epperson earned All-SCC North Division Second Team as she averaged 13.6 points per game while second on the team in assists, steals, and 3-point baskets. She helped PCC to an 18-11 record, a first round playoff win over LA Valley before state finalist Glendale edged the Lancers in an epic Round 2 game, 54-51. Epperson played under head coach Joe Peron.
Deen Abdur-Rahmann, men's basketball, 3.66 GPA: From Atlantic County Institute of Technology in Atlantic City, New Jersey, he earned an All-State honorable mention as well as All-SCC North Division First Team as a key player for the Lancers in both of his seasons from 2022-2024. Abdur-Rahmann finished with 622 career points, good enough for #53 on the PCC All-Time Scoring List. He made 84 shots from 3-point range in his career. He is headed to play/attend Azusa Pacific University.
Shant Chenorhavorian, men's basketball, 3.10 GPA: From Arcadia High, he received an All-SCC honorable mention this season in completing a fine, 2-year career for the Lancers as a shooting guard. Chenorhavorian totaled 115 shots from beyond the 3-point arc in two seasons, including a team-high 73 in the '23-24 season. He joined the program's 500-point club (529) and was an outstanding free throw shooter (86.8 percent) while one of the team's top defensive players with 102 career steals.
Ben Griffith, baseball, 3.55 GPA: From Pasadena High, he earned All-SCC First Team relief pitcher as the Lancers closer. Griffith was tied for third in the state in the regular season with seven saves and he led the team in appearances in each of his two seasons (39 overall games, four wins in 74.1 innngs of work). Griffith helped the Lancers to two consecutive playoff appearances and 48 wins in his two seasons. He was guided by head coach Pat McGee.
Alyssa Guzman, softball. 3.56 GPA: From Schurr High, she picked up All-SCC honorable mention as she batted .342 with 14 RBI as a catcher and centerfielder for the Lancers. Guzman played for head coach Audriana Gutierrez in her second season.
Melissa Le, women's track and field, 3.95 GPA: From La Canada High, she placed fourth in the javelin and seventh in the discus at the SCC Championships, then took ninth in the javelin at the SoCal Championships with a season-best, 14th state-ranked throw of 110-0 feet.
OTHER PCC ATHLETICS SCHOLARSHIPS
Jack Esguerra
Baseball shortstop Jack Esguerra earned the Horrell Scholarship for outstanding athletic achievement and sportsmanship. The Horrell award is named after the Horrell brothers, who excelled in athletics at Pasadena High School (part of then the campus of Pasadena Junior College) and had the program's old football stadium named in their honor--Horrell Field. Esguerra (3.1 GPA, from Arcadia High) played two seasons as one of the state's top defensive infielders. He had a banner sophomore season as an All-SCC First Team selection as he batted .383 in 40 games, leading the team with 64 hits, 12 doubles and 31 RBI.
Football defensive back Devon Mayes was selected for the Thomas O. Mallory Scholarship. The Mallory award is named after the former PCC football coach (coached 20th century sports legend Jackie Robinson) and athletic director who also has a bust in his image in the Court of Champions. Mayes (3.1 GPA, from Monrovia High) earned SCFA All-Pacific League First Team as he made 36 tackles and broke up four passes as a starting safety.
Men's soccer midfielder Osmar Rojas was chosen for the James P. O'Mara Scholarship. The award is specific to a PCC athlete who excelled after also attending Pasadena High. Rojas (3.33 GPA) was twice an All-SCC selection, including First Team as a sophomore. He was PCC's top playmaker with eight assists and five goals as a freshman in 2022 and then he transitioned to be a more defensive force this past season in helping the Lancers to their first above .500 season in four years. Rojas was guided by head coach Francisco Cantero in his sophomore season.
More than $18,000 have been allocated for these '23-24 student-athlete scholarships through accounts created through the PCC Foundation.